The original name of SSBMB was Singapore Biochemical Society (SBS). It was founded in 1983 by several academic staff of the Department of Biochemistry at the National University of Singapore and other biochemists in Singapore. In 1993, SBS officially changed its name to SSBMB.

The aim of SSBMB is to promote biochemistry and molecular biology among fellow biochemists and interested laymen in Singapore and the region. Towards this end, SSBMB has organized several highly successful international meetings - the 4th FAOB Congress in 1986, the 3rd IUBMB Conference in 1995, and the 22nd FAOBMB Conference in 2011. A further aim of the society is to promote science among the next generations of scientists. Thus, SSBMB organizes the annual Young Scientists’ Symposium for polytechnic students and awards prizes to the best student in Biochemistry and/or Biotechnology at the National University of Singapore, Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic. Small travel awards have also been given to graduate student members of the society.

The SSBMB also fully supports all the activities of Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB).